Latest Deadline Extended for Insecticide License Holders to Acquire Qualifications
The amendment rules revise the timeline for compliance with qualification requirements for retailers and dealers possessing valid licences. All retailers or dealers possessing a valid licence without the prescribed qualification will now be allowed time up to June 30, 2024 to comply with the said qualifications.
Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024 Introduced
Any individual seeking a license for pest control operations involving Glyphosate and its derivatives will be automatically granted a license if the licensing officer fails to approve the application within thirty days of its submission. This provision is applicable upon submission of the application along with a fee of one thousand rupees for all designated operation areas involving the use of Glyphosate and its derivatives.
Movement of Potato Seed Tubers Permitted Subject To Special Conditions
The Central Government has permitted the movement of potato seed tubers from select districts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir to all other states and Union Territories of India. This decision comes with special conditions aimed at ensuring the prevention of the Potato Cyst Nematode and safeguarding the environment.
Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) Act, 2024
The Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) Act, 2024 introduces significant amendments aimed at the development and regulation of agricultural produce markets in Karnataka. The establishment of the Market Development Assistance Fund and the provisions for its utilization are central to the Act.
BIS Revises Standards for Agricultural and Other Equipment and Hygiene Products
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced certain standards for agricultural and other equipment and hygiene products. These notifications were published on March 8, 2024. These standards have been established on February 2024. The previous versions of these standards shall stand withdrawn on the dates specified.
Government Includes New Substances in Schedule of Insecticides Act, 1968
The Central Government, after consultation with the Central Insecticides Board, has introduced 11 new substances into list of insecticides under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Their inclusion aims to regulate and monitor their usage for pest control purposes while ensuring the safety and well-being of the environment and public health.
Government Fixes Maximum Sale Price for Bt. Cotton Seed Packets for FY 2024-25
According to the notification, the maximum sale price of Bt. cotton seed packets for the entire country will be INR 635 for BG-I and INR 864 for BG-II. These prices are applicable to 475-gram RIB seed packets containing a minimum of 5 percent and a maximum of 10 percent non-Bt. cotton seed.
Gujarat Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024
The Gujarat Government issued a notification outlining the Gujarat Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024, which further amends the Gujarat Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948, the Saurashtra Gharkhed, Tenancy Settlement and Agricultural Lands Ordinance, 1949, and the Gujarat Tenancy and Agricultural Lands (Vidarbha Region and Kutch area) Act, 1958, specifically focusing on the process of converting agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes by specifying the time frame for such applications.
Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
After inclusion of new activities like technologically assisted breed multiplication farms, strengthening of veterinary drugs and vaccine units, Animal waste to wealth management, the scheme will exhibit a huge potential for the upgradation of infrastructure in Livestock sector.
Continuation of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
The Union Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, has approved the extension of the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) under the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) for an additional three years until 2025-26. The scheme, with a budget of Rs.29,610.25 crore, aims to encourage investments in various sectors such as Dairy processing, Meat processing, Animal Feed Plants, Breed multiplication farms, Animal Waste to Wealth Management (Agriculture waste management), and Veterinary vaccine and drug production facilities.
